MD Council Meeting, December 13, 2011

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

After holding a Public Hearing about the proposed Beaver Mines fire hall project (click here to read more about that) on Tuesday afternoon, December 13,  the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 Council held a regular council meeting.


Fire Bill concern revisited
The first item on the agenda for Council was the unfinished business of Tom Toney's concern related to a bill he received for fire services (click here to read about that in more detail).
Pincher Creek Fire Chief Dave Cox was in attendance to speak to council and answer questions about the issue. "When you got to the fire, was it out of control?" asked Councillor Helen Cyr.  "It was unattended, but not out of control," Cox answered.  He said wind and other factors meant he had to man the fire.  "We can't just drive away from something that is burning unattended."  He also said the permit for the fire had been issued about an hour before, and the person who issued the permit then went on lunch, "so the call said that we did not have a permit in place."  He said when he got the call back saying the permit actually was in place "we were already attending the fire."

Cox explained the responsibility of a fire permit holder, saying "When you sign it, you agree you're going to attend the permit.  That's standard, meeting the Provincial criteria."

Councillor Bjorn Berg asked for some details, including the time the 911 call was received, and "What equipment would you roll for that?"  Cox said the call came in at 12:47, that Emergency Services dispatch said it was reported as a "brush and grass fire" and that "structures are being threatened.  Lundbreck responded. Pincher Creek responded with Engine 11, the Tender truck, #43, and a command vehicle.  When I got on scene and saw what we had I stood down #11 and #43, because two pieces of equipment were all that was needed."

Councillor Berg asked what the usual billing policy was in similar situations.  "Typically when we were billing before we would not respond for any piece of equipment that did not pump water," answered Cox. "It comes down to how you guys work it.  What does the Municipality want to pass on to it's ratepayers."

"They have to be on site according to the permit?" asked Councillor Berg.   Cox reiterated that was the case.  "My concern is appearing to condone a permittee's incompletion of his end of it by finding fault with our billing process," said Berg.

"Was it overkill," asked Berg.  "When we get a call saying there's a grass fire and buildings are threatened, we're going to do a two-service response," said Cox.  In response to questions from Councillor Helen Cyr, Cox explained that "It takes up to an hour getting a truck back into service," adding that driving gravel roads affect service time, saying all the equipment has to be clean and in good order before being put away.

"If a motion is crafted, be careful that we might be setting future policy," cautioned Reeve Zielinski. "We hope that we are consistent to our ratepayers."   Adressing the issue of precedence, Cox said "In the past there has been adjustments and forgivenesses."

Councillor Berg made a motion that was passed unanimously to table the issue until the second MD meeting in January.

Director of Operations report

Director of Operations Leo Reedyk said "We're into snow removal," in response to a query from Councillor Helen Cyr.  Reeve Zielinski asked about the cleaning of Texas gates.  Reedyk said "Inspection annually is still the goal.  Public Works have been given that instruction.

Picker Truck purchase okayed, with two opposed

Councillor Helen Cyr questioned Reedyk about the significant increase in price for a proposed picker truck purchase.  The budgeted amount for the purchase was $75,000.00 and the tender received was for $100,660.25.  Reedyk said the overage was mainly the result of the difference between a 2-wheel drive and a 4-wheel drive truck.  "A four-wheel would be nice," he said.  "There are lots of areas a two-wheel truck can't go."  Reeve Zielinski asked "Is a four-wheel a nice-to-have and not a must?"  "That's what I'm thinkng," said Councillor Helen Cyr.  "I would suggest that if we go up in class we have a discussion first, " said Reeve Zielinski.
After some debate, council voted to accept the tender for the 4-wheel drive truck, with Reeve Zielinski and Councillor Helen Cyr opposed.

Forklift purchase okayed

Council okayed the purchase of a new Hyster H120 forklift after a disappointment with a previously agreed upon and delivered purchase.  That unit was returned to the vendor after it was discovered the mast was higher than specified and thus would not fit into the MD's storage quonset, and the mileage was 28,000 hours instead of the 11,000 hours claimed by the vendor.  "I seriously doubt we'll be dealing with them again," said Reedyk.  The new unit came in under budget at $57,947.00.

New snowplow map okayed

A new snowplow map, dividing routes into first and second priority status, was passed unanimously on third and final reading.  During the brief discussion preceding the vote Reedyk said "last year there were ten days straight when we didn't get off the priority one's."  He said the extra grader in service this year would make a difference.  Approximately 30 changes were made to the map, which must be approved annually.

Road closure request 
A road closure request affecting a small strip of old highway located north of Hidden Valley Estates was passed unanimously by council, after discussion indicated it was of no use to anyone but the landowner making the request anyway. Council will notify affected neighbours.


Land re designation request by Enel passes
Land Use Amendment Bylaw 1218-11 passed unanimously after some discussion.  Enel Alberta Wind Inc. sought to have a portion of land, situated just North of Highway 3 on the corner just east of Highway 785, re designated from "Agriculture A" to "Wind Farm Industrial" for the purposes of further windmill construction in the area. (click here for more information about the Public Hearing held on this subject).

Squatters at Castle Mountain a concern
Council voted unanimously to acquiesce to a request made at the end of the last ski season from Castle Mountain Resort (CMR) to install signage on a piece of parking lot at the CMR site presently leased by the MD to facilitate quad and snowmobile access.  CMR said squatters in their parking lot were moving to the MD side, and signage indicating no overnight camping would give them the right to evict squatters.  CMR cited the lack of adequate washroom facilities at the location as an environmental hazard.  With proper signage policing would have the legal ability to tow violators.

Budget passed for 2012
The MD's 2012 Operating and Capital Budget passed unanimously. A balanced budget showing a $10.00 surplus was made possible by increasing the 2011 tax rate by 3% and by drawing $371,810.00 from the mill rate stabilization reserve.  Expenses were set at $22,334,770.00 and revenue at $22,334,780.00.

Monthly Policing Report excerpt
25 violation tickets issued to a value of $3,416.00, including 2 tickets on Highway 3/507 and 23 tickets issued on Highway 22.

Regional initiative

Council agreed unanimously to be involved with the regional initiative to be led by the Crowsnest Pass.  (The Voice will be reporting on this in greater detail at a later date.)

MD to build a new administration building?
Council voted unanimously on a motion by Reeve Zielinski to move forward in 2012 with a proposal for a new MD administration building, to be built adjacent to the MD Public Works yard in Pincher Creek.

Arena roof and Library parking lot 
Council voted unanimously to share up to 50% of the cost to construct a new parking lot for the Library, up to a maximum of $30,000, with the Town of Pincher Creek.  No discernible decision was made regarding a similar request regarding the MCC Arena roof.